Obviously there are many schools of thought to drying out for the stage on show day.

Some like water loading with tapering, others use that and sodium manipulation, diuretics, there's tons of things you can do.

I wanted to start this thread so anyone that competes can share any tips you have on drying out. (If you work with a coach, don't step on toes and give out info that is supposed to be paid for, not asking for that )

Let's give this scenario:

You are prepping yourself, and you are PEELED, but notice you are holding water...a good deal of it. What do you do to dry yourself out? Do you cut water, do you load water then taper-then cut it?

Just trying to get some discussion going. I know what seems to work for me, so I am not looking for in depth advice. I just want to talk about this.

It has been a while since I saw discussion on it here at IM, and I would like some updated theories .

I'll start and say that I have done the water load, taper it down, add in some water pills, then carb up with complex carbs slowly, and then day of the show add it simple sugars if needed with little water, and it seemed to work well.

I am in the school of thought of keeping it simple: I have never played with salt or anything of the sort.

Like I said, just wanna get some talk going, hopefully from the vets, but anyone with experience can chime in. General guidelines, nothing specific is needed from anyone that does this for a living, LOL.

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Before we even get into the discussion of drying out I think there should be a warning to everyone: A lot of times when you think you are holding water, it's really just because you have more fat to lose. A lot of us trick are selves into thinking the former. This is why I have a coach, and a second set of eyes.

That being said, I do think that keeping salt normal till the end, and then reducing it a bit helps, but I don't believe in anything drastic unless you've done it a few times and it's worked.

Besides that I do this:

Quote:

I'll start and say that I have done the water load, taper it down, add in some water pills, then carb up with complex carbs slowly, and then day of the show add it simple sugars if needed with little water, and it seemed to work well.

I don't have anything to add since I've only done one show and it'd be stupid for me to give advice, but I'm definitely curious what others do here. I know Layne Norton is a big advocate of not making any drastic changes during prep week and pretty much just loads early in the week while keeping water and sodium intake the same.

I like your thought process of getting the body to just become used to the sodium and water. IMO, if you go out and try to load sodium too close to a show, all the while messing with water...it's a recipe for spill-over.

So, the way you describe, it's used to the sodium and water, then after increasing your water slightly, it's gonna push more out, and then when you start reducing both water and sodium gradually it will already be in the process of moving out water...then close to the show you add back in some sodium and water as needed (along with adequate carbs I am guessing) to help fill out and get that "hard" look. Is that correct or did I fill in blanks incorrectly?

How do you feel about fat content of loads? I know some guys swear the cannot fill out without fat.

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Oh, and great point about being in shape Dobe. If you're peeled, you're peeled and getting dry is just that icing on the cake...if you're not in condition, no matter what you do to dry out you're still not gonna look your best. Great point.

Anyone adhere to the school of thought of mega water loading? I forget who, but there is a Team U winner (Rodriguez?) who will drink like 10 gallons of water or something per day all the way up until the day of the show or something like that...all I know it's a crazy amount of water he uses (or says he uses) and the dude looks amazing on stage. Jeff Rodriguez maybe? Sound familiar to anyone?

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I like your thought process of getting the body to just become used to the sodium and water. IMO, if you go out and try to load sodium too close to a show, all the while messing with water...it's a recipe for spill-over.

absolutely agree

I'm all about CONSISTENCY

you can't wait until the last minute to do anything without risking the consequences

Quote:

So, the way you describe, it's used to the sodium and water, then after increasing your water slightly, it's gonna push more out, and then when you start reducing both water and sodium gradually it will already be in the process of moving out water...then close to the show you add back in some sodium and water as needed (along with adequate carbs I am guessing) to help fill out and get that "hard" look. Is that correct or did I fill in blanks incorrectly?

How do you feel about fat content of loads? I know some guys swear the cannot fill out without fat.

my water and sodium are always high during a prep, and the last 2 weeks I just make sure they stay high, if not bump them up a teeny bit, get my body used to processing them out efficiently

on show day, sodium is kept in (as it was kept in, just not quite as high, the day before) and water is kept in, albeit a little lower than the previous day, while slightly increasing carbs and fats

I've played with fat loading in the past and didn't notice any major increases in fullness. IMO, a MILD load with some of the regular carbs/fats you're used to eating is best in most circumstances

show day my first 2 meals that day might be the same things I always eat, i.e. chicken breast, oats or sweet potato, almonds or natural PB, lightly salted

So, the way you describe, it's used to the sodium and water, then after increasing your water slightly, it's gonna push more out, and then when you start reducing both water and sodium gradually it will already be in the process of moving out water...then close to the show you add back in some sodium and water as needed (along with adequate carbs I am guessing) to help fill out and get that "hard" look. Is that correct or did I fill in blanks incorrectly?

Simply put.

__________________Emeka "The MeNAcE"Okammor

Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."